Gaff



Dec. 25, 1951 c. B. FISHER 2,579,812

GAFF

Filed March 15, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 F/aZ 8 156E lLSEI INVENTOR.

Dec. 25, 1951 c, B E 2,579,812

GAFF

Filed March 15, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET? INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 25, 1951 GAFF Charles B. Fisher, deceased, late of Williamsport,

Pa., by Gertrude F. Fisher, executrix, Williamsport, Pa. Elizabeth F. Berry, administratrix de bonis non cum testamento annexo of said Charles B. Fisher, deceased, assignor to 0. A. Norlund Company Inc., Williamsport, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 15, 1948, Serial No. 15,022

1 Claim. 1

The present invention relates to an improved gaff and contemplates the incorporation into existing and conventional gaffs, certain new and practical features resulting in improved operation.

The gaff of the invention generally consists of a pair of spring arms secured in a handle, a pair of jaws pivoted to the spring arms and to each other, and a trigger pivoted to the pivot joint between the jaws.

The novel features in the gaff include the improved means securing the trigger to the jaws, and the arcuate notches of the jaws formed with end walls or abutments disposed substantially at right angles 50 that the pairs of abutments will engage the trigger securing means both when the jaws are open, as well as when closed to clamp the trigger against pivotal movement.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention according to the best mode thus far devised, but it will be understood that various changes and alterations may be made in the exemplified structure within the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the gaff of the invention in cocked position.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the trigger and jaws.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the trigger.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the gaff in spring position.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of one jaw.

Referring now to the drawings is illustrated the present preferred embodiment of the invention as comprising the conventional handle 2 having a thimble 4 flattened at its lower end to receive the upper ends of spring arms 6 and 8 secured by rivet I0.

These spring arms of flat metal stock are twisted at l2 and are each pivotally secured by rivets l4 to the jaws l6 through holes I8. These jaws are formed with curved tine ends and spaced teeth or tines 22 at their opposite ends the jaws are rounded at 23 on an are having a radius centered in the center of the opening 24 and the jaws are cut out at 26 to form the concentric arcuate recessed edge 28 and the end walls or abutments 30 and 32 disposed substantially at right angles to each other and radial to the center of the are.

In assembly the notched ends of the jaws overlap and secure the trigger 34 having tines 36, and

the securing lug 38 bent upon itself at 40. A rivet 42 extends through the trigger, the bent lug and the two jaws, the lug being confined between the pairs of end walls or abutments of the recesses. End walls .32 will confine the lug when the gaff is cocked, while walls 30 will confine the lug when the jaws are sprung.

As seen in Fig. 1, the gait is cooked by spreading the jaws against the tension of the spring arms until the pivot points I4, 42, and M are substantially aligned. As the subject to be grasped is struck by the trigger as the gaff is thrust toward it the pressure will move the pivot point 42 until the spring arms take over, snapping the jaws toward each other so that tines 20 and 22 will impale the subject. The end walls 30 will prevent the jaws from touching and will limit the snapping movement thereof.

While the gaff of the invention is especially useful in fishing to gaff the fish, it is not confined to such use and is equally adaptable for other uses in grappling for items confined in small places not accessible to the operator. In building concrete forms it is customary to space the walls thereof by wooden spacer blocks and it has been found that the gaff of the invention is especially successful in grasping such blocks in the forms beyond the reach of the worker. Other uses for the gaff will be readily apparent and its use in its improved form will reduce time and effort of operation and render more efficient any grappling operation.

Having thus fully described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

In the gaff described, the combination with a pair of complementary jaws having lapped inner ends, a handle, and a pair of spring arms rigid with thehandle each one of said pair of spring arms pivotally connected to a respective one of jsaid jaws of a trigger having spaced tines and a central upright return bend forming a spaced lug, a rivet extended through the trigger and its lug and forming a pivotal connection for the lapped ends of the jaws, each of said lapped ends having an arcuate edge-recess terminating in a pair of spaced abutments located at opposite edges of the return bend, whereby coacting pairs of abutments engage the edges of the return bend to limit the movement of the jaws in open and closed positions.

GERTRUDE F. FISHER, Executria: of the Estate of Charles B. Fisher, Des

ceased.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED Number The following references are of record in the file of thls patent. 1:692:325 UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 2,241,303 Number Name Date 7 1 297,237 Dollinger Apr. 22, 1884 689,743 Norlund Dec. 24, 1901 Number Name Date Dean July 30, 1918 McCollum Jan. 12, 1926 Bellile Nov. 20, 1928 Koivu May 6, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden 1907 

